The LONG awaited, and hotly anticipatedGLOCK single stack 9mm, the G43, is finally here! It’s certainly late to the extremely popular, highly-concealable, “pocket-9” party, but I’m still excited. I, for one, tend to shoot Glocks pretty well, and I really like their triggers. I know I’m not alone!

Since introducing the first, semi-automatic GLOCK service pistol in 1981, with its revolutionary polymer receiver, and the then new “Safe Action” system, GLOCK has attained quite a well-deserved following amongst both law enforcement and civilians in the United States. In fact, GLOCK reports on their site that, “approximately 65%” of all US Law Enforcement agencies carry GLOCKs.

Will the late time-to-market, relatively high MSPR ($589.00), and early, but since resolved, issues with last year’s introduction of the GLOCK G42 .380 keep the G43 from becoming as hugely popular as it’s predecessors and brethren?

Will it prompt the .380 crowd to upgrade to the more powerful, yet less expensive 9mm?

If you’ve already made a different “pocket-9” choice, and are unhappy with it, for whatever reason, the G43 may be just what you wanted all along. The G43 is obviously the perfect, no-brainer backup, or off-duty gun for the men and women in uniform whose duty-gun is a GLOCK. Likewise, it might be just the ticket for those situations where the double-stack G26 “baby GLOCK” is a bit too wide, or too heavy.

Personally, looking at some of the competitive offerings and the G42, I am surprised the G43 is not a bit shorter in overall length, nor a bit more narrow. That said, we’re talking fractions of an inch, and I’m confident the team at GLOCK certainly knows what they’re doing. Many, myself included, are willing to accept a slightly larger gun for better overall handling characteristics, and better shoot-ability.

It is, after all, a GLOCK!!I certainly can’t wait to shoot the G43. If it shoots as well as other GLOCKS I’ve shot, and meets or exceeds my personal conceal carry criteria better than other options I’ve explored, a G43 will likely get added to the stable.

The G43 is slated to be built at GLOCK USA’s Smyrna, Ga. facility. Look for it to hit the market soon, hopefully with a lower street price than the MSRP.